BIODIVERSITY: MOUNT CAMEROON

Nature: Splendor, Diversity of Flora, Fauna and Landscapes.

The Cameroon region offers an outstanding diversity of landscapes from tropical beach with black volcanic sand mangroves, swamps agricultural landscapes tropical and mountain rain forest of savannahs and volcanic formation of sea shore (0m) and 4095m high volcano creates a majestic setting. With a good weather you may admire a view of Malabo a  volcanic Island of Equatorial Guinea (from the beaches and slopes of mount Cameroon) and Wouri estuary and Douala (from the slope of mount Cameroon for example Buea).

Interesting forms of Vegetation

The mount Cameroon region because of it unique geomorphology geographical location and elevation between 0 and 4095m offers the whole set of interesting form of vegetation from tropical beaches shadowed by picturesque, palm trees mangroves and swamps flooded regularly by ocean water, agricultural landscapes with small subsistence farm as well as banana, rubber, oil palm and tea plantations tropical and mount  rainforest  to savannah and volcanic formations (moon landscapes) on the slopes and summit of mount Cameroon the vegetation type changes rapidly on very short distant.

Biodiversity

 Mount Cameroon region is home for many big animal species because of home pressure they are becoming rare but at the moment it is still possible to meet the animals here in the tropical rainforest around the mountain and in the mountain rainforest on the slopes of mount Cameroon tourists will find a wide variety of birds, butterflies and insects. 
  
The big animal species include Forest Elephant, White Collared Mangabey, Chimpanzee, Greater White Nosed Monkey, Drill Preuss Monkey, Western Bush Bucky, Western Bush Pig, Western Sitatunga, Africa Civest Ogiby Duiker Blue Duilker, Giant Pangolin etc

Some of the small most interesting and beautiful small animals are Cameroon Mountain Francolin (Endemic Species) Splendics Sunbird, Black Kite, Allied Hornbill, Pigmy Kingfisher, Pin Tailed Whydah, Blue Turaco Eagle Uncountable Lizards and Chameleons.

                                        

Table 1

S/N	Scientific Name	Common  Name	Bakweri Name
1	Musa Acuminate	Plantain	Liko
2	Blaeria Spicata Mani	_	Liwulwulu
3	Colocasia sp	Coco yams	Likawo
4	Piper Umbrellatum	_	Ngonyi

    

The first plant is scientifically called Musa acuminata which is commonly called, plantain and has a Bakweri name known as ‘liko’. It is a food crop that is cultivated in farmlands. It is used for both house consumption and sold in the local markets. Contrary to the sweet banana, it cannot normally be eaten raw, except by people from the ‘male’ cult who are believed to possess spiritual powers. This plant, in recent time is cultivated in plantations around mount Cameroon because of the rich volcanic soil and they can do well at a limited altitude of about 1700m.

        
Also, we have the Blaeria Spicata Manii, commonly known as ‘liwulwulu’ in the Bakweri language. This plant is traditional used by hunters to light fire when plants are dry. It also increases the danger of uncontrolled bush fire on the mountain and is found in the grass land     there is the colocasia (scientific name), commonly called coco-yams and known in the mokwe language as ‘likawo’. This is also one of the basic food crops of the region. When the tubers are harvested, they are either consumed in the household of the farmer or sold to the market. Moreover, there is the piper umbrellatum commonly known in the Bakweri language as ‘ngonyi’. This plant is often used for traditional treatment likewise; it is also used as vegetable in the preparation of some traditional meal like ekwang.

  

Table 2

S/N	scientific name	Common Name	Bakweri Name
1	Prunus Africana	Kanda Stick	Wotangu
2	Ficus Kamerunensis	_
3	_	Tree Fern	Litutula na’kamba
4	Aguaria Salicefolia	_	Mbwele a’kaelo
5	Afromumum Flavum	_	Litutundo
6	Rubus Pinnata	Bush Berries	Wenyenge-nyenge
7	Renealmia Polypus	_	Mebwe
8	Helichrysum Mannii	_	_

                                 

Figure one has as scientific name Prunus Africana, a common or English name Kanda Stick and ‘wotangu’ in the Bakweri language. This plant is locally used for the treatment of chest pain, penis erection difficulties. Its back are harvested and sold to a pharmaceutical firm (PLANTECAM – Mutengene) which extract the basic product out of the back for the production of a drug against prostate disorder.

The next (fig 2) is ficus kamerunensis (scientific name) and ‘ngonji’ is the Bakweri appellation. It is used in farm land as a shade and wind brake tree and sometimes it serves as a water catchment for food crops. When its fruits are ripe they attract large amount of birds creating a hunting spot for bird hunters.

Figure three is commonly called tree fern or giant fern and known by the Bakwerians as ‘litutu – la – nakamba’. This plant can grow to a height of about 6 to 7 meters and because of its hard nature, it is used for the construction of walls of local traditional houses, construction of live fences and the construction of bridges on footpaths in the forest area.

Figure four is known scientifically as aguaria salicefolia and mbwele a’kaeto in the Bakweri language. This plant is used as fuel wood on the mountain. It is hard and could also be used to make axe handles. The plant also has some medicinal value.

From the table above, diagram one is scientifically called afromomo flavum and the Bakwerians call it ‘litutundo’. Its fruits are mostly eaten by chimpanzee and people and are at times used collected for medicinal purposes.  It can be found only in the forest area.

The scientific name for diagram two is rubus spinnata, commonly called bush berry and the locals call it wanyegenyege. The fruits are eaten by people (habitants and tourists), birds and are sometimes sold in hotels. This can be found only in the forest area.

Renealmia polypus is the scientific name for diagram three and it is called ‘mebwe’ by the Bakwerians. It is used for the treatment of chiken pox. It can be found the forest and savanna.

The last of this category is scientifically call helichrysun main and no local consumption of this plant can be identified but for the fact that students on excursion on mount Cameroon take it back home for decoration. This plant can be found in the savanna region of Mount Cameroon especially at above 2000m. 

                                            Table 4

S/N	Scientific Name	Common Name	Bakweri Name
1	Angraecum Sp	Orchid	_
2	Custus Albus	_	Mondandowani
3	Musanga Cecropeoides	_	Lisengi
4	Seadoscus Cinnabarrinus	_	_

The first plant is scientifically called Angraecum sp and has an English name of Orchid. This plant is commonly used in local treatment the specie normally grows on trees but they are not parasitic and sometimes, under the weight of epiphytes, branches of trees break and all down. The mosses that are also seen on the picture are used by local mountaineers as a sponch in washing plates and pots after meals on the mountain.

Also, there is Custus Albus (fig 2), and its Bakweri name is called Mondandowani, it has medicinal use, like the treatment of fresh wounds in case of an accident in the forest. It is sometimes eaten like a sugar cane when thirsty in the forest.

Again, the diagram in figure three is scientifically called Musanga Cecropeoides of which in the Bakweri language it is called, Lisengi. This plant is used in the construction of local houses and as fuel wood. The water from its roots can be drunk when in the forest.

 In addition, diagram four is Seadoscus Cinnabarrinus(scientific name). This plant is a species with red flowers found growing in the secondary forest and on road sides. Furthermore it can be domesticated as a flower in order to decorate the environment for it to look good.

                                                                        Table 5

S/N	Scientific Name	Common Name	Local Name
1	White-Face Owl	Ptilopsis leucotis	ezu
2	Allied Hornbill	Locusta migratoria	moku
3	Migratory Locust	Locusta migratoria	_
4	Pigmy Kingfisher	Ispidina picta	_
5	Grey Woodpecker	Mesopicos goertae	Mboke-mboke
6	Pin-tailed Whydah	Vidua macroura	_
7	Splendid Sunbird	Cinnyis coccinigaster	Izoli
8	Goliath-Beetle	Family scarabaeidae	nganga a’singe
9	Black Kite	Milvus migrans	Wombe

    

On like the plant species that exist on Mount Cameroon, there are also a lot of bird families that can as well be traced on this mountain area. For instance we can identify the following as seen on the pictures above. Picture one is scientifically called ptilopsis leucotis, commonly call white-face Owl and also known in Mokwe as ‘ezu’. It is the commonest and most wide spread of West African Owls. The male makes a two note call of, kuk-coooo‘. This species feed mostly on insects and mice and is noted for silent flight and binocular vision.

Also, picture two is scientifically call lophoceros semiaciatus otherwise known commonly as Allied Hornbill and in Mokwe, it is called, ‘Moku’. It feeds on fruits and insect in tree-tops in the morning and evening, but comes lower down in the heat of the day. Its call is loud, continued, rapid whistle of, pi, pi, pi --- pi, pi ,pi‘.

In addition to the above, picture three is scientifically call Locusta Migratoria and commonly call Migratory Locust. They are commonly seen in the dry season. They consume food close to their own weight each day. The familiar, churring‘noise is made by the male which rub the inner side of their hind-leg against a vein of the fore wing.

From the above tables, number four is call Ispidina Picta (scientific name) or Pigmy King Fisher (common name). It is a tiny bird, usually met away from water. Its flight is rapid and of short duration. It call is known as the shrill piping call, not very loud (,pee-pee-pee‘). 

Number five is scientifically called Mesopicos goertae, it can be commonly called Grey Woodpecker or called in the Mokwe language as mboke mboke. It is strong, undulating and makes a characteristic sound. It’s mostly silent, this species becomes noisy (loud, cree-cree-cree‘) in the breeding season (dry season). 

Vidua macroura is the scientific name for picture six. It has its common name as Pin-tailed Whydah. The long tail of the breeding male pin-tailed Whydah attracts attention from the observer (rainy season breeder). The polygamous male performs elaborate courtship flights. This specie is a parasitic one, utilizing the nest of waxbills for egg deposition. Their call is a sharp chirping note and is shrill clicking songs during courtship.  

‘Izoli’ (picture 7) is the mokwe name for splendid sunbird (common name). It is scientifically known as cinnyris coccinigaster. They often resort to tree top as well as feeding from flowers of garden shrubs taking nectar with the aid of a tubular tongue. Their call is a loud melodious song of separate notes becoming lower in pitch, with longer intervals between them.  

Nganga a’ singe’ (picture 8) is the local name from the mokwe people for the commonly known Goliath Beetle otherwise called scientifically as Family Scarabaeidae. This is the largest of West African Beetles. It is less spectacular but more important to farmers especially the yam-beetle. It is black and about 2cm long. The adult can do enormous damage by borrowing into yam tubers and rendering them unfit for sale.

The scientifically Milvus Migrans is commonly known as Black Kite which the Mokwe people also call wombe (picture 9). It is the best known of all African birds of prey, often seen near towns and villages. It can be seen singly or in large parties and is mainly a scavenger. It has an easy flapping flight, but also soaw in rising air particularly at bush fires. The call of this dry season breeder is a drawn-out and plaintive, peeeeee-yewrrrr‘heard especially at midday.

To take note about this group of birds is that they can only be found in the forest region. It worth noting that, the White-Face Owl and the Migratory locust are nocturnal while the rest birds discussed above are diurnal.

There are also a wide range of animal species that exist around Mount Cameroon. Some of them will include those from the pictures above. First on the list (picture 1) is the scientifically named viverra Civetta, commonly called African civet which locally called in the mokwe language as, njuwe‘. It is the largest and the most dog-like civet. It is purely terrestrial and omnivorous in diet (carrion, a variety of prey and vegetable matter). The nauseating, oil substance secreted by the scent gland (territorial marking) is also collected from animals kept in captivity and used in perfume manufacture. They are nocturnal and can only be seen in the forest areas.

The picture two is a scientifically named Hyemochus aquaticus commonly call water Chevrotain and locally called  ,njombe‘. It’s a very small hoofed mammal that does not possess horns or antlers, but canines (only the males). It has a small home range. Surprisingly, important parts of their diet consist of animal matter, fish, insect and flesh of dead animals. It’s nocturnal and can only be seen in the forest areas.

The commonly known house rat (picture 3), with scientific name Rattus rattus and locally called, eto‘. They originated from India, uses nearly worldwide man’s houses as shelter, man’s food for sustenance and man’s goods of all kind for nesting materials. They can also be found near the huts on the mountain. They are nocturnal, live in the savanna, forest and farmland.

Picture four is one of the three commonly known giant vipers also known as Gabon viper (Puff Adder) but it’s scientifically called Bitis Arietans. It is slowing moving and capable of tremendous and noisy inflation when alarmed or angry. It lays efficiently camouflaged waiting for prey. They are diurnal and found in relatively cold places in the forest areas.

The commonly known Western Sitatunga is scientifically called tragalaphus spekei gratus while the locals call it, mbulu-kave‘(picture 5). It is a large antelope with truly amphibious habit swims well and often spend the heat of the day in water or even hides in water. It is diurnal and nocturnal and lives in the forest zones.

Picture 6 is commonly call Black-Legged Mongooes, scientifically call Bdeogale nigripes and it is locally known as, Izembe‘. It is reputed to feed on rodents and insects. From the interview the outing period of this animal was unknown but it can be found in the forest areas.

Hammer-headed Bat (picture 7); common appellation, scientifically it is call hypsignatus monstrosus while it is locally called, nmweme‘. The male is enormous snout and a wrinkled lip is truly hoific. The call (ulttered only by the male) of this second largest West African bat is ,geg geg geg gegegegeg‘ and resembling most of the forest frogs. Its nocturnal and found in the forest zones.

Picture 8 is the brush tailed porcupine scientifically call Atherurus Africanus locally known as, ngomba‘. It uses it quill as a warning rattle. It is an unmitigated pest in forest’ farms (damage especially root-crops). It spines are probably a fairly effective defense against civets and other small crops. It’s also nocturnal.

Large-spotted Genet (picture 9) is scientifically call genetta tigrina locally known as, ezo‘. They can pass through any opening large enough to admit the head. They seem to return daily on the same spot. This specie is a wasteful killer often eating just the head and breast of the prey. Genet spit and growl like cats when angered. They too are nocturnal and found in the forest zones.

Cercopithecus nictitans is the scientific name of the commonly known Greaer White Nosed Monkey, locally call, lindo‘. It lives’ in the forest areas and diurnal, they belong to the subgroup of guenons that (as a rule) never descend to the ground. The natal coat is conspicuously different from the juvenile pelage and seems to serve the function of stimulating all adults to rescue the young.

                                   Table 6

S/N	Scientific Name	Common Name	Local Name
1	African Civet	Viverra civetta	njuwe
2	Water Chevrotain	Hyemoschus aquaticus	njombe
3	House Rat	Rattus rattus	Eto
4	Puff Adder	Bitis arietans	Ngu
5	Western Sitatunga	Tragelaphus spekei gratus	mbulu-kave
6	Black-Legged Mongoose	Bdeogale nigripes	Izembe
7	Hammer-Headed Bat	Hypsignatus monstrosus	nmweme
8	Brush-Tailed Porcupsine	Atherurus africaus	ngomba
9	Large-Spotted Genet	Genetta tigrina ezo	Ezo
10	Greater White Nosed Monkey	Cercopithecus nictitans	Lindo

           

 In common English it (picture 1) is called butterfly which is scientifically called graphium antheus and in the bakweri language it known as ekolokola-ngando. Butterfly is common in the forest areas, diurnal and is seen around Christmas. Butterfly rest in their winds above the bags and moths with their wind flat in the surface in which they are resting.

Also, moth is the English name of diagram two, its scientific name is aurivillius and it called ekolokolo in Bakweri. They often have eye-spot makings especially on their hind wing which serves as a warning to scare potential predators. They live in the forest areas and are nocturnal.

      
 In addition,straw-coloured fruits bat is the common name of picture three, has a scientific name of eidolon helvum and mboa-nmweme as the Bakweri name. This animal is the largest of West African Bat. During day time it hangs in trees, in the night it feeds on flowers and fruits (especially nectar). This is nocturnal and common in the forest zones.

Furthermore, the animal in diagram four is commonly known as Cameroon mountain francolin,scientifically called francolinus camerunensis, and its Bakweri name is kwai. It is endemic specie that exists only in the North Eastern slope of Mount Cameroon between 850m and 2900 meters above sea level (montane forest) were it prefers dens under growth. It feeds on berries and grass seeds and insects and is a dry season breeder. About nine francolin species lives’ in Cameroon were they are wrongly called partridge. It is as well diurnal and is found in both the montane and the sub-montain forest.

Again, green mamba is the English name of the reptile in picture five, scientifically known as dendroaspis jamesonii, and it Bakweri name is mooto. It has an alive active look and spend much time on trees were it moves with a speed up to 10km high and probably defends its breeding territory. They prefer small mammals but their bite is also very dangerous for man. It is as well diurnal and is found in the forest.

 In addition,preuss monkey is the common name of picture six, has a scientific name of cercopithecus preussi and lingote as the Bakweri name. It is well known on mount Cameroon but few people know that the mountain is one of their most important habitat world. This monkey’s like to walk on the ground and prefer mountainous or hilly areas. It is diurnal and lives’ in the forest.

Furthermore, the animal in diagram seven is commonly known as blue duiker, scientifically called cephalophus monticola, and its Bakweri name is mbweya. It belongs to the sub-group of forest duikers (contrary to bush duikers) and is the smallest of all. It lives’ usually solitary. It moves easily through dense vegetation and when disturbed it plunge into thick vegetation cover. The name duiker came from the Dutch word diver, it is also nocturnal and lives’ in the forest. 

Also tree dassie is the English name of diagram eight, its scientific name is dendrohyrax arboreus and it called loka in Bakweri. The white hair on the back of tree dassie hides a necked area (glands). The soles of the feet are very well adapted climbing, with firm pads keept continuously moist by a glandular secretion. Dassies are more closely related to the elephants than to any other ungulates and live aboreal ( on trees and on the ground). It lives’ in the forest and is nocturnal.

Manis gigantea (picture nine) is the scientific name of the commonly known Giant pangolin, locally called, iijah. This solitary animal sleeps during the day in its burrow and does not climb on trees as some other pangolin do. It feeds on insects (termites and ants) that adhere to the long tongue.

Picture ten is scientifically called protoxerus stanger, it can be commonly called giant forest squirrel or called in the Mokwe language as fai. This arboreal animal feeds on nuts (even palm oil nuts), fruits, eggs, leaves and insects. It is not necessary to store food like some species in the extratropis (for winter) do. It lives’ in the forest and is diurnal.

  
 Papio leucophaeus (picture eleven) is the scientific name of the commonly known as drill, locally called, sumbo. It is mostly terrestrial and therefore lives’ in the primary forest were the ground is sufficiently clear for under growth for easy walking. They climb trees in case of danger or to rest at night. Drills are very noisy and omnivores, they are diurnal and live in forest areas.

                                       Table 7

S/N	Common Name	Scientific Name	Local Name
1	Butterfly	Graphium Antheus	ekolokola-ngando
2	Moth	Aurivillius Aratus	ekolokolo
3	Straw-Coloured Fruit Bat	Eidolon Helvum	mboa-nmweme
4	Cameroon Mountain Francolin	Francolinus Camerunensis	kwai
5	Green Mamba	Dendroaspis Jamesonii	mooto
6	Preuss Monkey	Cercopithecus Preussi	lingote
7	Blue Duiker	Cephalophus monticola	mbweya
8	Tree Dassie	Dendrohyrax Arborreus	loka
9	Giant Pangolin	Manis Gigantean	iijah
10	Giant Forest Squirrel	Protoxerus Stanger	fai
11	Drill	Papio Leucophaeus	sumbo

We have the white-collared mangabey(picture one), scientifically called cercocebus torquatus   commonly known as musako in the Bakweri language.(or red capped mangaeys)they communicate which other with a great variety of mimicry. They seem to prefer living close to water. The male loud call cha-oo is characteristic. Eagles are their common enemies. They themselves eatmostly fruits and seeds but the white colloured mangabey has been acussed of necrophagy.  

The commonly known cane rat (picture 2), with scientific name thryonimys sp and locally called, ngomba ‘. They are mostly nocturnal and may become a pest to crops. Its food is composed of roots, coarse,grasses, shrubs, backs of trees and fruits. This rat is edible.            

Picture three is commonly known allen’s galago( they have large eyes) ,but it’s scientifically called galago alleni, which has a Bakweri name known as jambo. It is very active, nuctunal  and arboreal it eaps from place to place in the trees in the frog-like fashion and feeds primarily on insects, but also on fruits and leaves.

In addition, beecroft’s flying squirrel is the common name of picture four, has a scientific name of anomalurops beecrofti and ngu as the Bakweri name. They live in the trees and with its lateralglindine membrane.it can fly from on tree to another (about 130m).

 Also, western bushbuck is the English name of diagram five, its scientific name is tragelaphus scriptus sc and it called kave in Bakweri. It is a small antelope tha feeds entirely as a browser and is preyed on by pythons. The voice is a loud clear bark, sometimes repeated (not unlike that of a baboon), and also a series of grunts.

  Furthermore, the animal in diagram six is commonly known as bosman’s potto, scientifically called perodicticus potto, and its Bakweri name is loka. Like allens galago, bolong to the lower primites. Pottos are little bear like animals which moves very slowly and arboreal. Their commonest enemy seems to be palm civet.

Python sebac (picture seven) is the scientific name of the commonly known as African python, locally called, mohzo. They feed on mammals and birds which are killed by asphyxiation. After a big meal,a python can live easily for six months without food(up to three years are reported).

The commonly known chimpanzee is scientifically called pan troglodytes while the locals call it, ewaki ‘(picture eight). They are communicative and noisier than the gorillas (not existing on mount Cameroon any more).they use tools and can be 40 years old. Chimpanzees eat fruit, nuts, and some leaves shoots back of trees, eggs and insects and sleep in nest right up the tree during the night. Rain forest species seems never to be carnivorous. They are highly endangered although they are not hunted in bomboko and Bakweri tradition.

Table 8

S/N	Common Name	Scientific Name	Local Name
1	White-Collared Mangabey	Cercocebus torquatus	musako
2	Cane Rat	Thryonomy sp	ngomba
3	Allen’s Galago	Galago alleni	jambo
4	Beecroft’s Flying Squirrel	Anomalurops beecrofti	ngu
5	Western Bushbusk	Tragelaphus scriptus sc	kave
6	Bosman’s Potto	Perodicticus potto	loka
7	African Python	Python sebac	mohzo
8	Chimpanzee	Pan troglodytes	ewaki
9	Two-Spotted Palm Civet	Nandinia binotata	mbenge
10	Western Bush Pig	Potamochoerus porcus	Ngowa wanga

    

In addition to the above, picture nine is scientifically call nandinia binotata and commonly call two-spotted palm civet, and locally called mbenge. It is mainly arboreal. It hunts for arboreal rodents, birds and even pottos. Their diverstified diet includes also fruits and insects.

Furthermore, the animal in diagram ten is commonly known as western bush pig,scientifically called potamochoerus porcus locally known as ,ngowa wanga. They live in group led by a large master boar. It can swim very well and has wide home ranges. They are essentially omnivorous

 Finally, the animal in is commonly known as forest elephant, scientifically called loxodonta cyclotis, and its Bakweri name is njoku. They have smaller rounded ears with less pronounced lappet and straighter, thinner and shorter tusk than the commonly known savanna elephants. The elephants drink daily and much of their time is spent feeding. They are grazers and browsers. Because of human disturbance they now also move more often at night (like the western sitatuga) forest elephant are very fond of setting mineral salt and periodically go to salt-lakes were they dig out earth with their tusk and swallow it (eventually purgative and anti parasite function. This specie is much endangered, about 60 elephants stii live in the mount Cameroon region.

                                        

Table 9

S/N	Common Name	Scientific Name	Local Name
1	Forest Elephant	Loxodonta Cyclotis	njoku
2	Fox	_	ezso
3	Eagle	_	mbella

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE MOUNT CAMEROON AREA

There are two types of protected areas in the mount Cameroon area. They include; the permanent area and the non permanent area.

In the protection unit or permanent area are being well guarded by the forest guards. These guards do survey and monitoring of the permanent areas. Hunting is not allowed in thee permanent area and in a case where anyone is seen violating this rule or order, he or she will be punish by the government. According to the Cameroon penal code, article 1 state that if a person is caught with a part of a protected species like an elephant, whether dead or alive has a fine of 3-10million or at least 10years imprisonment. This means that anything within the national park should not be touch or hunt.

Also, the non- permanent areas are none guarded by the eco-guards and hunting is allowed in this. These non permanent areas involve community and forest and it is manage by the community and the government. In this area an individual is not suppose to carry more than two unprotected species except he or she has permission from the government, because it is said that, two is for family consumption and from three and above is for business and it must be permitted by the government. Examples of the non-protected area are the Woteva and Bomboko community forest.

CHALLENGES OR PROBLEMS FACED BY THE MOUNT CAMEROON REGION

Despite the fact that the mount Cameroon region  has a fertile soil for agriculture and favorable climate and also a touristic sites for Cameroon as a whole, it also face some challenges which include population  size, heterogeneity of the area, human wild life conflict and the difficult topography.

              
Population with regards to the rapid population growth in the mount Cameroon area, there is a lot of housing problem faced by the inhabitants of the mount Cameroon area. According to statistics the mount Cameroon region has a population size of more than 80.000 people and because of the problem of overpopulation it gives rise to other problems like overcrowding and the change of climate.

                 
Another problem is the heterogeneous nature of the mount area. This problem came as a result of the fertile land of the mount Cameroon area, so this fertile soil attracts farmers to relocate and invest in order to improve on their agricultural production in this area because of the fertile soil. Also it acts as touristic site which attract tourists from all over the world. Because of this heterogeneity of the area it has faced other problem like limited land. In order for the inhabitants to increase their cultivated lands, they therefore turn to those areas that have been mapped out as reserve for animals. This explains why a community like Bomboko suffers from animals attacking the people's crops.

                 
 In addition, there is the human wild life conflict. This conflict is between the eco-guards and the hunters, because hunters will always want to go for hunting in the protection units which is against the law thereby creating conflict between these people.

                                                 

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